Seven Practices #2: Love Others

At Redeemer Community Church we’ve identified seven practices of a disciple of Jesus that we hope to be true of each one of us in increasing measure. These are not practices we pursue for God’s love (we cannot earn nor deserve the love of God), but rather from God’s love poured out on us through the gospel of Jesus.

The first practice was Seek God. The second practice: Love Others.

Jesus summed up the Law, “Love God… love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mt 22:37-40) Paul said of faith, hope, and love, “the greatest of these is love.” (1 Co 13:13) James called love the “royal law.” (Jm 2:8) Peter commanded, “fervently love one another from the heart.” (1 Pt 1:22) Husbands are to “love their wives.” (Eph 5:25-33) Older women are to teach younger women to “love their husbands and children.” (Titus 2:4) Again, Paul said, “… the goal of our instruction is love…” (1 Tim 1:5)

Don’t ever forget the Gospel. God loved you when you were unlovable. In fact, Paul called it “His great love with which He loved us.” (Eph 2:4) Let that amazing truth control how you relate to others. “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” (1 Jn 4:11)
Start at home, then extend to the world. Express your love in word and deed to those closest to you. Husbands, love your wives. Wives, respect your husbands. Parents, love those kiddos. Children, obey your parents. Kids, treat your brothers/sisters as you hope they’ll treat you. Then, love your church family, your community, and the world. Even love your enemies. (Mt 5:44)
Arrive to church several minutes early to connect, visit, and love. Enter the Worship Center praying, “Lord, where would you like me/us to sit?” It will put you in a love-one-another mindset. After the service stay a bit longer to visit and love. Stop hustling in, sitting in “your spot”, and then hustling out. Create margin to love as your church family gathers. Read How to Walk Into Church.
Join a group at your church (Community Group, Small Group, Life Group, whatever your church might call them) to not only receive the wonderful one-another ministry of others, but also to give that ministry to others in love. “Serve one another… bear one another’s burdens… be kind to one another… comfort one another… encourage one another and build up one another… pray for one another…” (NT texts)
Practice hospitality on a regular basis (at least one night per month?). Invite someone from the church family over to the house (or even to a restaurant). Visit, laugh, and enjoy a good meal together. Remember, sometimes the simplest meals are the best meals!
Make a Prayer Card (from Paul Miller’s A Praying Life or videos here) of your Community Group, Men’s or Women’s Group, and/or friends at church. Then, pray for them often.